Carli craves another crack at cup glory

At age 36, US striker Lloyd determined to prove she's still a force to be reckoned with, as AP reports

LOS ANGELES - Carli Lloyd realizes millions of casual soccer fans don't follow the international game outside the World Cup.

Truth be told, most American fans haven't paid close attention to the US women's national team since Lloyd notched a hat-trick to win the final against Japan four years ago in Vancouver.

When those same fans tune in for the World Cup in France this summer, more than a few will be shocked to learn Lloyd is now a reserve for the team she led to the title in 2015.

But the 36-year-old striker isn't settling for the role to which she has been largely relegated over the past two years.

Her latest performance suggested that maybe coach Jill Ellis shouldn't settle for it, either.

"I want to win," Lloyd said on Monday. "I'm a winner. People can say what they want, but I know at the end of the day I can help this team lift that trophy in France, and I'm not going to stop until I can do that."

Lloyd seized the spotlight at Bank of California Stadium on Sunday night, decisively showing she can still deliver in the No 10 jersey, typically reserved for every team's top playmaker.

In her first start of 2019, Lloyd largely had the role of a roving forward against Belgium. She delivered a stellar effort by scoring two early goals and adding a second-half assist in a 6-0 rout.

"Tonight I got my chance, and I'm thankful for that chance, but nothing has changed," Lloyd said.

"I'm doing the same thing I've been doing from day one for my career. I'm working hard. I'm humble enough to know that there's things I can improve on, and I'm not stopping. I've been pretty blunt about that. Those that want to doubt can doubt."

Lloyd famously scored her World Cup hat-trick in 16 minutes, and she needed just about five minutes to net her brace against Belgium-both from headers as outmaneuvered defenders with aplomb.

She then set up a goal by Alex Morgan, demonstrating her playmaking ability along with her finishing skill.

With hundreds of fans wearing Lloyd's jersey in the boisterous crowd of 20,941, their hero partly stole the show from even the 1999 World Cup championship team, which was honored on the field at halftime.